employment. The underutilisation rate is equally as important as the unemployment rate. It gives a broader measure of untapped capacity in the labour market.47 Disabled women fare worse than disabled men Tāngata whaikaha Māori experience additional layers of marginalisation • have lower labour force participation rates than non-disabled women (46% versus 71%), and disabled men (46% versus 54%) • are less likely to be in full-time employment than either non-disabled women or disabled men • are more likely (66%) than disabled men (51%) to earn $30,000 or less50 • are more likely to have no educational qualification (34%) than non-disabled women (15%).51 Although the above report does not disaggregate data specific to tāngata whaikaha Māori, other sources such as the New Zealand Ministry of Health (2018) report that: • just over half of tāngata whaikaha Māori adults were participating in the labour force • four in ten tāngata whaikaha Māori adults had no formal educational qualifications, almost double the proportion of non-Māori disabled people without qualifications.48 King (2019), in her Waitangi Tribunal report (Wai 2575) says: Compared with non-Māori, Māori experience less privilege across almost all socioeconomic indicators. Within the Māori population however, the intersection of indigeneity and disability is demonstrated by the significant inequities for Māori with lived experience of disability compared to Māori without lived experience of disability, that occur across a number of socioeconomic indicators. Despite a higher prevalence of disability, Māori have higher proportions of unmet need for access to health professionals and special equipment compared with non-Māori, and are likely to have disproportionate access to disability support services… Significant inequities exist for Māori with lived experience of disability compared with non-Māori in health outcomes – in terms of exposure to the determinants of health and well-being, access to health and disability services, and the quality of health and disability care received. There is clear evidence of multiple systemic and structural barriers affecting these health outcomes for Māori with lived experience of disability, secondary to racism, colonisation, and coloniality.49 Disabled women are disproportionately disadvantaged in relation to disabled men and non-disabled women. Disabled women: Socioeconomic disadvantage creates risk Low rates of educational achievement, employment, and the corresponding low income create disadvantage and poverty. These in turn result in lower standards of living for disabled people and increased rates of disability52 and violence.53 It is important to recognise that lack of educational attainment, employment and consequent low levels of income do not reflect disabled people’s ability. These circumstances are caused by systemic and enduring discrimination that prevents disabled people as a population group having equitable access to education at all levels, to employment, and to being able to fully participate in their communities. Underpinning this systemic disadvantage, and inherent in the high rates of violence and abuse, are power and attitudes about who is important and who is not. Many disabled people struggle to have a voice, to participate fully in community and political processes, and to be accepted as participating members of society. Acting now for a violence and abuse free future 25